APM secretary encourages open and honest discussion of policies
The government is undermining opposition to its policies by inviting critics to protest in the streets, saying it wo n’t bow down under the pressure of any party.
Somkid Chueakong, the prime minister’s assistant secretary-general for social matters, said the government sees no need to plan for any anti-government opposition.
” This government understands people’s needs. We wo n’t restrict people’s freedom of expression”, he said, urging government critics to submit a petition setting out their demands.
We must examine our problems in a fair way. We’re not worried about any rallies, but we’re not making any particular arrangements”.
Mr Somkid was referring to threats by Sondhi Limthongkul, a former leader of the now-defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy ( PAD), or the yellow shirts, and Jatuporn Prompan, who led the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship ( UDD), also known as the red shirts.
Mr. Sondhi is credited with leading the Controller’s demonstrations against Thaksin Shinawatra, accusing him of corruption and undermining the king. In his YouTube initiative which aired next Monday, he said he was considering calling for a mass protest against the government led by Thaksin’s child, Paetongtarn.
Mr. Sondhi stated in the program that he would wait until the first quarter of the year before making a decision regarding his walk. If he discovers proof of bone or wrongdoing by Ms. Paetongtarn’s administration officials, particularly in sensitive areas like the joint-claims area between Thailand and Cambodia, he may organize a massive demonstration against the administration.
Ms. Paetongtarn responded to the risk by saying that Mr. Sondhi may have his issues with the government first, before engaging in protests.
Mr Sondhi has yet to reach out to the authorities, noted Mr Somkid on Sunday, before adding the government is ready to carry deals.
Mr. Somkid also responded to UDD’s Mr. Jatuporn, who last year criticized the government for” selling off the land” by proposing to grant foreigners 99-year area leases, a plan that Thaksin recently presented at a community outlining his vision for the region.
” There is no such program. This is only an idea”, Mr Somkid said.
In accordance with the proposed plan, Thai owners who want to rent their land to immigrants would first need to move the subject deed to the Treasury Department for oversight.
The landlord would collect full payment from the landlord over the course of the rent, but the land would still be regarded as departmental owned state property.
Lavaron Sangsnit, lasting director for the Finance Ministry, recently said that if the strategy was to move ahead, several rules will need to be revised, including Treasury Department laws that limit contracts to 30 years.
Speaking at a conference on Saturday which coincided with his 59th day, Mr Jatuporn criticised several of the president’s projects including the Land Bridge venture, the casino-entertainment complexes, as well as the proposed area contract modification for foreigners.
” What did burn presentations are the steps and policies of the government, no me or Mr Sondhi. If individuals take to the roads, that’s because of the president’s laws”, Mr Jatuporn said.
” I will prevent any attempts to sell off the country. These jobs do not provide the country’s best interests”, he said.
But, echoing Mr Somkid, Phayap Pankate, a previous Pheu Thai MP and a former UDD co-leader, said individuals are then fed up with presentations and any attempts to force the state using illegal means.
Somebody wants the government to address the country’s population’s financial issues right away. But, opposition leaders should have compassion for the people and allow the government to test their issues, according to Mr. Phayap.